Nigeria: NYSC Must Serve Its Purpose - Minister

Nigeria: NYSC Must Serve Its Purpose - Minister

Maureen Onochie
13 July 2011


The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) must be positioned to serve the purpose which Nigeria expects it to serve, new Minister of Youth and Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said yesterday.

Speaking while responding to questions from journalists in his office in Abuja, Abdullahi said the scheme will be looked at and made to serve the purpose of contemporary challenges which Nigeria faces.



"We are going to look at NYSC and we are going to make sure that at the end of the day, it serves the purpose of contemporary challenges that Nigeria face," he said.

He said the recent increment made on the allowance for the corps members shows the importance of the scheme to the country hence "if the institution that takes almost 90% of the ministry's budget is that important, then we need to ask ourselves how do we get value for the investment to bring benefits to the country and to the individuals participating in the scheme and their families and as well, ensure their security."

Abdullahi said he would explore every opportunity that would give jobs to the youths and stop the importation of artisans to the country as part of President Goodluck Jonathan's transformation agenda.

On youth development centres nationwide, he said they would be reviewed, adding that the ones which were started would be completed.

According to him, "there is no way we are going to stay here in Abuja and be able to run the development centres in the states. We must have a network with all the states and civil societies to ensure that we are all working on the same goal and focus."

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Alh. Umar Farouk pledged the support of all staff to ensure that the new mandate is achieved.